“Going out to the garden is to go on a holiday; when you travel amongst the flowers, your body touches heaven and your mind tastes the secrets of ataraxia!”

~ Mehmet Murat ildan

May 2020 will not soon be forgotten, now contained within our memory and written into history. It goes without saying as to the reason – a pandemic, COVID-19. Winter was transitioning to spring when the virus struck; now the first day of summer is just a few weeks away… Within a relatively brief period our day-to-day lives, so to speak, have changed drastically. During my brief trips away from the house adaptability, creativity and thoughtfulness are evident in our community.

In its attempt to keep our spirits up and anxieties down, the weather has succeeded; the May Gray has stayed out at sea and, providently, conditions will remain, keeping June Gloom at bay. Another timely factor is the length of daytime light. Presently, the sky holds light past 8 p.m. Every day until June 21 (Summer Solstice) gains a little over one minute of light. Nature’s gifts are free for the taking and yours to use as you wish!

No, I’m not making hay while the sun shines! Instead we’re tending to a variety of flowers, fruits and vegetables; growing are tomatoes, squash, honeydew, grapes, tangerines, oranges and apples. Consider it a “Victory Garden.” Next a swim to cool off – our pool had its earliest opening ever! Finally, an evening walk with each participant wearing its species-appropriate accessory – a collar or mask. I hope dogs are exempt from social distancing as Goldens are a complete failure at that!

We owe it all to the ideal weather on a tilted planet!

Just in time for Memorial Day, heat blasts the foothills with temperatures predicted in the 90s by Monday. Then readings of triple digits are expected by mid-week. Memorial Day is often referred to as the unofficial first day of summer; the weather in 2020 gives reason for that thought!

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and Official Skywarn Spotter for
the National Weather Service Reach her at
suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick